(While I’m reticent to call Bruning the “early favorite”, this has the potential to be one of the quirkiest Senate races of the cycle. – promoted by James L.)
As expected, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) is ready to officially get in the race this week.
It looks like Jon Bruning’s days of exploring a 2008 U.S. Senate bid are coming to an end.
Bruning, who has printed campaign posters touting “Bruning, United States Senate,” plans to hold a press conference Thursday at the State Capitol to talk about his political future.
All signs – including recent public comments from Bruning – indicate that the second-term attorney general will officially get into the race, setting the stage for a possible primary challenge against fellow Republican and incumbent Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Hagel, who has angered many rank-and-file party members with his Iraq war criticism, has not announced whether he will run for a third term. He plans to make his decision later this fall.
Bruning, however, has given strong indications that he will run since forming an exploratory committee earlier this spring.
He has hired several campaign workers and his campaign office in Lincoln has been busy, raising money and calling supporters.
Bruning has to be the early favorite to get the Republican nomination – perhaps even if Hagel decides to run. The longer Hagel waits, the more support he will drain. His March 12 press conference was a huge strategic blunder.
Meanwhile, the rumblings of a potential Bob Kerrey Senate bid are getting stronger. Outside of Iraq – where Kerrey managed to piss off quite a few Democrats in the last couple of weeks – Kerrey’s actually a very good Democrat for Nebraska. What’s more, in a race against Jon Bruning, I’m fairly certain that he would win quite handily.
June 23rd, Kerrey is headlining the Nebraska Democrats’ annual Morrison-Exon dinner.
What kind of terms are Fahey and Kerrey on? I know that they’ll both stay out if Hagel stays in (seems more unlikely with every passing day), but is there a possibility that they’d both jump in? I know that Fahey is who the DSCC has sought out as the Dem nominee if it’s open, but I guess Kerrey would have a lot of pull in the event of that happening.
You seem pretty certain that Bruning is the nominee in a GOP primary, do you think all the Congresscritters stay out of it? I guess Daub jumps in, but he doesn’t seem to be too formidable.
I agree with Dave that Kerrey probably stands a better chance as a statewide candidate than Fahey. I’d like to see Fahey challenge Lee Terry, but that’s another ballgame.
Kerrey’s residency status is an interesting question, but if he can get past that he could play well. He can push the 9/11 commission recommendations for improving national security, which should play well with disaffected Republicans.
I don’t know if I’d call him a favorite, but he’s probably the best chance for Dems. A lot also depends on the Republican presidential nominee and if that candidate drives or depresses turnout.